Roóng Poọc Festival: The Spring Plowing Ritual of the Giáy People in Sa Pa

Roóng Poọc Festival: The Spring Plowing Ritual of the Giáy People in Sa Pa

For the Giáy ethnic minority in Tả Van commune, Sa Pa district, Lào Cai province, the Roóng Poọc Festival (also known as the "Going to the Field" festival) is more than just a regular celebration. It marks the end of the Tet holiday period and the beginning of a new agricultural cycle. It is an occasion to express gratitude to the deities, especially the local Earth God, praying for favorable weather, prosperous crops, thriving livestock, and a peaceful, prosperous life for the community.

When and why is the Roóng Poọc Festival held?

According to the elders, the Roóng Poọc festival has been organized for generations since the Giáy people settled in Tả Van Giáy village. It is held annually on the Dragon Day (the 7th day) of the first lunar month. This day is considered auspicious for starting important work, symbolizing hopes for a lucky and successful new year. Today, the festival is also celebrated in other areas of Lào Cai, such as Quang Kim commune, on the first Dragon Day of the year, showing the tradition's continuity among the Giáy community.

What happens during the Roóng Poọc Festival preparations?

The festive atmosphere begins days in advance with careful and solemn preparations by the whole community. Two of the most important tasks are making the "con" (cloth ball) and cutting the "neu" tree (ceremonial pole).

• Making the Con Ball: The task is assigned to five virgin girls selected from the villages. Their purity signifies cleanliness and enhances the sacredness of the offering.
• Cutting the Neu Tree: Strong young men are responsible for finding and cutting the tree and bringing it to the main ceremonial ground. Throughout the process, the tree trunk must not touch the ground to preserve its sacredness.
• Decorating the Neu Tree: The village head is responsible for cutting and decorating the sun and moon rings (vong nhat, nguyet) to be hung atop the pole. These rings are made with two main colors: green representing the moon and red representing the sun, symbolizing the harmony of yin and yang, the foundation for the proliferation of all things.

How does the main Roóng Poọc ritual unfold?

Before erecting the pole, the ritual master ties the sun and moon rings to the top and waits for the Dragon hour to begin. The Pi le trumpet players play a vital role throughout the procession, accompanying the ritual master, village head, and offering trays dedicated to the Jade Emperor, deities, and heavens.

Once the offerings are carried to the designated spot, the ritual master faces the direction of the rising sun (East) and signals the village head to light incense to perform rituals asking permission from the heaven and earth gods to erect the pole. The top of the erected pole must face East, the direction of beginnings and growth.

After the pole is erected, the ritual master invites respected elders to come forward. Eight people (four men, four women) stand in two separate rows, each holding consecrated con balls, and make three symbolic throws. The goal is to throw the ball through the moon ring on the pole.

What do nem con and sacred seeds symbolize?

The nem con ritual is a central highlight. The con ball symbolizes "masculinity," while the ring (phong con) represents "femininity." A ball successfully passing through the ring symbolizes the union of yin and yang, praying for fertility and a bountiful harvest. The con tree is not just a game prop but also a symbol of the sacred rice plant and a cosmic tree connecting earth and sky.

When the ball goes through the ring, the village head scatters sacred seeds prepared beforehand. These seeds are believed to carry sacred energy and strong reproductive power. People rush to grab these seeds, a symbolic act of transferring sanctity to the seeds and distributing blessings to the entire village for a good harvest.

The Festive Activities

The solemn ritual is followed by a lively celebration with various folk games.

• Tug of War (Keo May): This essential game uses a rattan vine about 20-30 meters long, with the root end pointing East and the tip pointing West. It symbolizes pulling clouds to pray for rain.
• Plowing Contest: Following the rituals, two strong buffaloes plow 3 to 5 furrows on a nearby field to symbolize the start of a new season. In places like Quang Kim, this becomes a competitive contest among the most skilled plowmen, creating an exciting atmosphere. Women in traditional dress follow the furrows, sowing seeds for the new year.
• Other Games: Folk singing, khèn dancing, balance beam walking, blindfolded duck catching, and stilt walking across streams create a vibrant and communal festive atmosphere.

What is the heritage value of the Roóng Poọc Festival today?

The Roóng Poọc festival is an agricultural festival reflecting the history of wet-rice cultivation among the Giáy people through beliefs in fertility, polytheism, and sun worship. Born from centuries of labor, it holds profound historical and humanistic value. In 2013, the festival was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Its regular organization not only preserves cultural traditions but also supports community-based tourism, providing stable income and promoting the unique cultural identity of the Giáy people.

Summary table of rituals and games in the Roóng Poọc Festival of the Giáy people in Sa Pa.